The Pride of Warsaw Marching Band has finished its 2024 competition season and performers are pleased with how the season turned out.
Director Sandra Stewart felt that the band accomplished so much this season with their “Pirates of the Caribbean” show.
“I think the band has improved on how well they play music, especially as a group. The show music this year is hard and they have had to work on being able to listen to each other in some places and, in other places, they’ve had to work on not listening to each other and trust the drum major, no matter what it sounds like.
The band competed in four competitions this season.
On Sept. 21, the band played at Carl Junction and, overall, the band received third. The following week they played on Sept. 28 at Mount Vernon and received second place. They also received second place at Smith Cotton in Sedalia on Oct. 5. They finished in Odessa receiving fourth on Oct. 12.
Stewart said that at these competitions the judges are critical on many different aspects of the show.
“We just finished up our marching contest season and there are several things that judges look for and tell ALL bands to work on. I’ve chosen to work on posture for the rest of this year so that we will be ready for next year. The posture needed for competition affects lots of other things like air flow, sound, horn angles, and how the body moves.”
Freshman Piper Whipkins, who plays the quad tom drums, recognized that small mistakes made a difference in the band’s ranking at competitions.
“We were three points away from getting a higher place in Smith Cotton on October 5th so, overall, we need to fix the tiny mistakes because these are what hurt and affect us most,” she said.
Junior Haley Case is the drum major for this season causing her to have more responsibility. She expresses how this has been a challenge to get where they are today.
“I feel like I have more responsibility making sure everyone is doing the right thing and keeping them in line at the right times. This season we really struggled with that but we fought through our battles and are getting better by the day,” Case said.
Freshman bass drum percussionist Josh Hartley recognizes Case’s skill as drum major.
“I believe that she has really great and sharp hand motions which is a great skill you need to have, also she won best drum major at Mt.Vernon on Sept. 28th and that is pretty impressive,” he said.
Drum major Case thinks the band did really well and really came together as a team.
“Overall, I think we did really well and came together like a family and we have really improved since the summer started,” she said.
Whipkins believes their biggest challenge was staying together.
“I feel like our biggest challenge overall is honestly just staying together at the right times because, with my 50 pound instrument, it can sometimes be a big struggle,” she said.
Stewart is a second-year director for the Warsaw band.
“Mrs.Stewart is a big help to us and, overall, is an amazing band teacher,” said sophomore kobie Gerstner who plays snare drum.
Stewart said she has enjoyed becoming part of the school district and community in her second season as band director.
“I have made lots of friends here. The teachers and administration have been very helpful, and Mrs. Schockmann and I have developed an excellent working relationship in the music department that I hope allows for our band and choir students to enjoy their time in music,” she said.
Freshman snare drum percussionist Josh Hartley feels like their season was a success.
“Overall, I think our season was a big success and, as a freshman, I learned way more than I thought I would and am very proud of myself and our band all together,” he said.
